Colorado - San Juan Mountains

Entering Colorado, the mountains get higher and resume the more typical look you would expect for a mountain range. The San Juan Mountain pass is a lovely drive that takes you up very high. The "million dollar mile" section refers to the (back then) high cost to build a particular segment.

On the way in to Colorado from Moab, you take "Route 666" -- or the highway of the Beast, as I would call it.

The interesting thing about Route 666 is that almost nowhere on the highway itself will you find a route sign. The only signs we found were high up, at the intersection in the largest town. The answer is obvious -- people must try the steal the signs, either as souvenirs or because the fear the number of the beast. I searched and searched for a sign to take a picture of -- ideally in front of a church, but at best could only find the signs leading to the highway.

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The highway of the beast. The antichrist gets his kicks on route 666. Once we got on 666 I thought it would be cute to photograph a sign. There wasn't a single sign on the entire 70 miles of the highway we drove. They must be constantly stolen. The only signs I found were in towns on the roads leading to the highway, like this one, but if you were on the road you would not be able to find out which one it was.

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The hardware store on Route 666 is of course "Slavens"

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A panorama point in the mountains.

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More lovely San Juan Mountains

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I thought the stains from mining on this mountain should be in the National Enquirer as a Face of Jesus

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Mountain scene

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The town of Silverton, at over 9000 feet, was our highest night's stay. The RV park had its own waterfall. We got in a twilight, so I missed the shot of the entire town which was quite beautiful.

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The box canyon is 300 feet deep and has a strong waterfall in it

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Jagged peaks of San Juan Mountains

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The town of Ouray, just north of Silverton

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Ouray's box canyon, which they charge admission to.